Languages
Languages at high school
In high school, the study of Languages teaches students about different cultures and customs, about communicating successfully in other contexts, and about being able to deal with global challenges of the future.
At Rossmoyne, language options include German, Japanese, French and Chinese (Mandarin). Most of the school’s teachers are native speakers in the language they teach, and the school also employs language assistants who are available for one-on-one speaking practice.
Rossmoyne also hosts a selective entry Gifted and Talented Languages program. Gifted and Talented applications are managed centrally by the Department of Education. Learn more about Gifted and Talented Languages.
Class structure and opportunities in Languages
Year 7
All students take a Languages class two times a week.
Year 8
All students take a Languages class two times a week.
Year 9
All students take a Languages class two times a week.
Year 10
Students can choose to take a Languages two times a week.
Year 11 and 12
Year 11 and 12 students may choose to study one or more of the below courses and will attend each course four times a week:
- Chinese Background (ATAR)
- Chinese First Language (ATAR)
- Chinese Second Language (ATAR)
- French Second Language (ATAR)
- German Second Language (ATAR)
- Japanese Second Language (ATAR)
Languages in Years 7 to 9
All students in Years 7 to Year 9 take classes in a language other than English.
Languages options available in Years 7 to 9
- German – as a second language.
- Japanese – as a second language.
- French – as a second language.
- Chinese / Mandarin – as a second language.
- Chinese / Mandarin – advanced, for students from Chinese–speaking backgrounds.
Languages in Years 10
In Years 10 most students can choose to continue studying a language other than English.
(For students in the Gifted and Talented Languages course, Language studies continue into Year 10. Learn more about Gifted and Talented Languages.
Languages classes available in Year 10
- German – as a second language.
- Japanese – as a second language.
- French – as a second language.
- Chinese / Mandarin – as a second language.
- Chinese / Mandarin – as a background language.
- Chinese / Mandarin – as a first language.
Languages in Year 11 and Year 12
Six course options for Languages in Year 11 and Year 12
In Year 11 and Year 12 there six courses of Language study available:
- ATAR German – as a second language.
- ATAR Japanese – as a second language.
- ATAR French – as a second language.
- ATAR Chinese / Mandarin – as a second language.
- ATAR Chinese / Mandarin – as a background language.
- ATAR Chinese / Mandarin – as a first language.
Extracurricular opportunities in Languages
Beyond regular classes, Rossmoyne’s Language staff run a variety of exciting extracurricular programs, competitions and tours including:
- Discover Deutschland and Modern History Tour.
- Japanese student exchange to Japan.
- French student exchange to France.
- French exchange to La Réunion.
- Chinese student exchange to China.
- Deutsch Australischer Sprachverein (DAS) examinations.
- Book prizes for diligence in learning German from the Goethe-Institut in Germany.
- German film making competition.
- Alliance Française examinations.
- National Chinese Speaking Competition, Hanyuquiao for students of Chinese.
- CLTA Chinese Writing and Speaking Competition for students of Chinese.
- Japanese film making competition.
- Japanese Speaking Competition for students of Japanese.
- German PASCH Program involvement.
Regular out-of-school activities also enhance language learning and provide students with an increased awareness of the intercultural aspects of language learning. These include:
- Restaurant outings.
- Cinema outings.
- Entertainment outings (theatre, music).
- Practice with native speakers.
- Collaboration with other schools.
Scholarship opportunities in Languages
The following scholarships are available to languages students at Rossmoyne Senior High School.
- Sangora Scholarship for students going to continue their language studies at tertiary level.
- Seizan Fukami Fund Scholarships for Year 12 students of Japanese.
- SAGSE scholarship for Year 10 and 11 students of German to travel to Germany over a six-week period.
- PASCH scholarships for Year 10 German students.
More information
Learning content and opportunities
Read about what content is covered in classes, and what opportunities are available within each Learning Area in the Curriculum Handbooks. [link to handbook page with all 2023]
Curriculum in Western Australia
Read more about the curriculum in WA on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority’s webpages for Pre-primary to Year 10 and Year 11 and Year 12.